OS X Server as a guest OS in XenServer

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OS X Server as a guest OS in XenServer

I've been considering switching from a partial VM/physical server architecture to a total VM. I've played around with VMware ESXi and server, but the cost is a little high to do anything more advanced. So, I want to start testing Citrix XenServer since it's free for almost all features. But, before tearing down and rebuilding my test servers I wanted to see if you can even run OS X server (10.6) on it as a guest system. Has anyone done it? How is the performance?

Thanks in advance!

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Dec 24, 2009 3:26 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 26, 2009 2:59 PM in response to absolut0128

Will you be able to run XenServer on Apple Hardware?
ESXi won't run on Apple Hardware btw, so you can only use VMware Fusion on OS X (desktop or server) without all the goodies of ESXi. Maybe there is no point in trying to virtualize it at all. Particularly if you plan to run a single instance of OS X Server.

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Answer 2

Camelot

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Dec 24, 2009 11:01 PM in response to absolut0128

The license for Mac OS X Server permits it to run as a guest OS as long as it's running on Apple hardware.

You can't install a hypervisor on, say, a Dell or HP box and install Mac OS X Server on it, but as long as you're on an Apple box you're OK.

Note, though, that you'll need a separate license for each virtual Mac OS X Server you run.

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Answer 3

absolut0128 Author

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Dec 25, 2009 10:58 AM in response to absolut0128

Thanks for the reply! I am planning on putting it on Mac hardware, and understand the licensing requirements of OS X server.

What I'm mostly interested in is if it will actually work on XenServer and if so, then if the performance is worthwhile (ie: it performs nearly as well as being on the server natively). If the performance is poor, then I won't bother with XenServer and go with ESXi and probably won't virtualize my Mac hardware.

My original intention was to go with ESXi for multiple reasons. I wanted to be able to run the Cisco Nexus 1000v, but the licensing requirements with VMware for enterprise type features is completely outrageous and not practical for a SMB.

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Answer 4

Perren

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Jan 27, 2010 8:55 PM in response to andrussuitsu

Yes, Xenserver 5.0 and 5.5 both run on Apple hardware that meet the general requirements as laid out by Citrix in their documentation. Depending on the exact machine you pick you could run into individual hardware driver issues, but they are solvable.

I haven't had the time yet, but my next step is to attempt installing OS X in a VM under Xenserver.

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Answer 5

Perren

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Jan 27, 2010 8:59 PM in response to absolut0128

You'll be pleased with the performance - I have Xenserver 5.0 installed on a circa 2007 Mini. I'm only running one Win2K3 VM, but it runs really fast for the type of work it's doing.

Last I checked I haven't rebooted xenserver in 200 some days and the performance is like I first installed the VM. It's amusing to say the least!

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